Today was my last day at work, and we are packing up all of our belongings this week and moving ourselves down to hot and humid Texas. Will I miss the mountains? The cool morning air? The snow filled afternoons when I can sit on my couch and sip a warm cup of tea? The simple evenings spent with my family and friends, eating a slice of pie or trying not to devour an entire pan of brownies?

Of course. How can you not miss home?

But Ryan and I are adventurous spirits; we crave newness, experience, a change of pace. Living in Colorado, near the place where I went to middle school and high school, doesn't challenge me enough to provoke the type of growth I crave. This growth most readily occurs when you force yourself to embrace those things that frighten or intimidate you. Even though I've only been out of college for a year and a half, I am nervous to return. Beginning my MFA and hopefully completing a PhD by the time I'm thirty has been a dream that both scares and excites me.

But we will move forward because staying stagnant can result in a life marked with regret.

I know that eventually Ryan and I will settle down. We hope to have one or two children and watch them grow up in a community that can foster our own creativity and encourage our children to explore. But as for now, we will hit the open road, and along our way, we will continue to turn to old friends and family, the people that love and support us no matter where we are.

I am in process of dipping...egg whites and then almonds

One of the people that will remain an integral part of my life and growth is my dear friend Abby. Abby is a talented poet and teacher, a woman that I've grown to love and admire over this past year. She has a wonderful blog that I hope you will take the time to explore. Her poetry is not only brilliant, but accessible, and she can make a mean strawberry jam.

Abby has been delightful enough to provide Ryan and me with homemade jam this summer. We've slathered seasonal varieties on freshly baked bread and in between layers of yellow cake. We've dipped our fingers into the jar to sneak an after dinner sugar rush (naughty, I know). And I've made these delightful jam thumbprint cookies, which have never tasted better.

The shortbread cookie seems simple, but when touched with a burst of lemon and rolled in lightly toasted almonds, it becomes spectacular. Slightly crumbly, very buttery and finished with an almond crunch. But what makes this cookie stand out is the fragrant strawberry jam I was able to dollop in the middle of each pressed bite. After taking one bite, I couldn't help but finish two, then three cookies before I sealed them away in a Zip-loc bag. The flavors of summer were well-kept in these bite-sized treats.

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter and 1/2 cup sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy (3 minutes). Add egg yolk, vanilla and lemon juice and beat until well-combined. Whisk together flour and salt in a separate bowl, and add to mixture, beating on low until combined. Allow dough to chill for 30-40 minutes. 2. Combine your finely chopped almonds and 2 TBSP of sugar in a bowl. Stir to combine. In a small bowl, lightly beat egg white. Form your dough into 1-inch balls. Dip each ball into egg white, then in almond-and-sugar mixture. Place balls on parchment-lined baking sheet. Make a deep indentation in the center of each ball with your finger.3. Bake your cookies for 10 minutes before removing from oven. Gently press down the centers with the end of a wooden spoon (don't use your fingers here!) Fill the center of each cookie with 1 teaspoon of jam. Rotate sheets, and bake until golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes more. Remove from oven, and place on a wire rack to cool.

Of note...there is one other lovely lady I wanted to mention yesterday. Lauren has a wonderfully addictive blog called Lauren's Little Kitchen that I watch like a hawk. Her prose is spot-on, her pictures are adorable, and she is simply a beautiful person, inside and out. So if you haven't already found her, go visit her as soon as you can!

How wonderful it is to follow you on Twitter because now I know when you have a new post! I'm not gonna lie, I'm very particular about my cookies, but thumbprint cookies are fantastic (thanks to the butter... vegan, eh) and look so simple to make!

It's difficult to leave the comfort of home, but you're young and have plenty of time to make new memories that will become just as dear to you. My son and his family just moved to TX last week- so far it has been cooler there than it has been here. Go figure. Your cookies are beautiful. I have some jam here waiting for them. Thanks for sharing- Betty

Thanks for sharing those two blogs - I look forward to checking them out. And I know what you mean about homemade jam. It's so hard to resist, and I too find myself putting it on anything it could possibly go with, or just scooping up a spoonful on its own.

I love what you wrote in your opening - it reminds me so much of where I was at when I was about your age, definitely not wanting my life to become stagnant, routine or full of regret. I was nervous to start grad school last year (at 28 and 6 years out of school), but it was so exciting to be back in school that the nerves disappeared pretty quickly.

Mhm, yummy cookies, Monet! But even better, so excited for you and hubby re. the move! I know how you feel about being an adventurous sort - I've been thinking about uprooting myself again recently, maybe on a slightly more permanent basis this time. Good luck sweetheart - hope it's swift and stress free! You'll have tasty cookies to munch on at least!

I was looking forward to this post/recipe after you teased it yesterday, and was definitely not let down :) Best of luck to you in Texas, though it seems that you won't need it! I absolutely know what you mean when you say you need to leave home to grow. I moved from Ohio to Arizona almost two years ago, and in going back this past summer everyone commented on how much older and more mature I seemed. Sometimes a little time away is something we all need :) Cherish it, even when you are homesick!

hey monet! i am the same way...always afraid of settling down. i have about a year left in my program. and after being in school for this long...i cannot wait to be done!!! i hope you love your new adventure. and im sure tx will be hot....but at least it is hot enough where AC is required??? ha. in co, you can get away without it...but somedays are pretty rough.

What an exciting journey! Your sentiments are very much in line with our thoughts about venturing through life with a new place and change of pace. I wish you safe travels and a delightful experience with your classes!

All the best as you move....and aren't jammy cookies the best!!!!! I love the 'rolled in almonds' bit........ must try. Take care

Reply

Jessie -- The Messie Kitchen

07/27/2010 4:27pm

Leaving home is exactly the thing I can't wait to do. I'm ready for my next chapter and I'm hoping it is where you are leaving now! Time will tell. You will just love Austin, I'm sure. I love how rustic these cookies look, and I'm sure they taste marvelous. Good luck packing up!

can i have ur skirt??!! hehe so pretty. i love how i comment less on the food and more on you and ur clothes and ur gorgeous hair hehe. but the cookie DO look incredibly tasty! i love making thumbrint cookies, filling the middle up with jam is obviously my fav part ;)

It's so refreshing to read about your new adventure! I crossed the ocean to start my adventure over 10 years ago. Thinking back, I have no idea where I got the energy and fearlessness but I can certainly tell you I have no regret! Good luck with the move! These cookies look adorable!

I LOVE thumbprint cookies. I think the simple, crumbly cookie is the perfect vehicle for a nice dollop of jam. I'm so jealous that you have homemade jam in those little cookies! I need to get on the homemade jam bandwagon.

Your cookies are really something special with your friend's homemade jam! I wish you the best in your move and all that follows! I really can identify with what you said about being challenged and growing...

These look delicious Monet. I love that you used homemade jam with them as well. it really gives them that added personal touch. You'll do great in Austin and I can't wait to read more about your upcoming adventures.

I love your adventuresome spirit (and your cookies). I love your willingness to go outside your bouNDaries (and your jam). Do it now so when it is time to have continuity in your lives - there will be no regrets.

Good luck with the move and with school! I think it's great that you and Ryan are so open to new experiences. I only just started thinking about settling down maybe two years ago and I don't regret a single move. I can't wait to hear all about Texas and your MFA program!

These are some of our favorite cookies and yours look delicious--and, jam from a friend is wonderful. I wish you well on your move. I've done that--leaving my home state of Virginia and moving with my new husband to CA. Our two children were born there. Next we moved to Texas. Then Charleston, SC and now the Chicago area. All moves were job-related. All moves brought wonderful new friends and experiences. I wish you the same.

Good luck on your move. I'm sure it will be a great adventure on your life journey. Thanks for another cookie recipe on your way. Looking forward to your future posts as an Austinite (is that what they call them there?)

I must say how impressed I am that despite moving you have time to make cookies! And delicious ones like these. We love Thumbprint cookies...Maya and I have made them a few times. She can't get over the fact she gets to stick her finger in cookie dough. It's the little things in life. :)

I have heard that Texas is a fabulous place to raise a family...it is affordable and pretty. I'm sure you will come to love it!

Monet, What a scary and exciting time, but that's what your 20s are all about, I'm finding! I've moved so many times, so I understand how you must be feeling, but I know you and Ryan will really enjoy Texas and make lots of new friends.

That being said, these cookies are absolutely adorable, with an adorable baker to go along with them!

Monet, have fun packing and good luck on the move. I like jam thumbprint cookies! Just the sour taste of the jam and the sweet of cookies are great combination. Thanks for introducing us to those wonderful bogs!

Those are one of my favorite cookies. How is the move going? My move is using what sanity I have left. :) I'm glad you and the man can stick together. Lars and I split next year. Boo. Cannot wait to hear more about the move, moving buddy.

I always enjoy a good shortbread cookie filled with delicious jam, these look great! I know this is an older post and I believe the move has already happened, but I do wish the best for you both and that you will make yourselves a wonderful home in TX!

Reply

Cristina

09/02/2010 1:33pm

I heart thumbprint cookies..can't remember the last time I had one, though. What's not to like about shortbread and then with tasty sweet jam in the middle. Lovely!

Wow these look delicious! I used to love sneaking thumbprint jam cookies, breaking off the cookie, and just eating the part that was attached to the jam. I'm sure now that I'm older, I would love the whole thing!

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